a theater workshop in collaboration with the Talespinner Children's Theatre. Lakewood library offered a few different special programs this summer for students entering kindergarten through fifth grade. The first program was a percussion workshop for ages kindergarten through 5th grade in June and was presented by Progressive Arts Alliance. The second was the children's theater workshop and the final program will be at the end of July for students entering kindergarten through 2nd grade and will be a printmaking workshop. Students will learn different processes related to the art of printmaking and design their own original pieces of art.In the theater workshop aspiring young actors received a fast-paced arts

experience from Tania Benites, a qualified theater professional who encouraged the students to use their creativity and imaginations. Benites started the class with the children all in a circle facing each other and had them warm their bodies up by shaking different parts of their bodies out. Then she had them warm their voices up by having them open their mouths, stick out their tongues and roar like a lion. While the students were warming up their bodies and voices Benites talked to the students about why actors warm up and how it helps them as performers.Once the children were warmed up Benites put them into small groups and led them into an elaborate rendition of charades. The children had to act out different scenes such as riding on a roller coaster, or being a teacher in the classroom. Benites continued to give the students bits of information about acting while the children were busy with their activities. She reminded the children that working together in theater is so important.Another activity the class did was face each other in a big circle and play the game "mirror". The children were asked to not look directly at the teacher but rather use their peripheral vision, another skill actors must learn to master. While acting they must often rely upon their peripheral vision. Benites asked different children to be the leader. The leader would make slow moving motions and the rest of the students were to mirror the motion, while using peripheral vision.About 25 students were signed up for this library sponsored program that was offered at no charge. Spaces filled up fast and there was a waiting list. Julie Strunk, the manager of the children's department at Lakewood library wanted to try to bring more programs this summer to cater specifically to this age group. Public suggestions over the past few years were that there was a lot of programming for families with younger children in story hour and craft programs and also for older school aged children. Parents found there to be a lack of activities in this age range.Kathryn Tatnall, a librarian in the children's department finds the people in Lakewood to be very theatrical and musical and thinks these programs help to support the atmosphere in the city. She thinks the Beck Center is a great source of inspiration for the community and finds Lakewood's art community a wonderful place to grow up. This program specifically was funded through a budget from the children's department. The library was happy to provide this free service to the community.Children were notified about these programs when the signed up for the summer reading program and from the Lakewood public library spring and summer program guide. The program guide offers a plethora of events, classes, book clubs, music events, story hours, family events, movies, health seminars and much more. This was the first year the library offered programming of this kind and because the response was so positive and the limited spaces filled up quickly, the director is planning to bring this type of programming back again next summer. Tatnall said they were thrilled with the response and that it reinforced what the staff would like to see more of in the future as well as incorporate it into the programs they already offer such as the strokes of genius program for students 2nd through 4th grade.

In this arts activities program students learn about renowned artists and the history of creativity. The program culminates with an art show for family and friends. And the art explosion program offered for students in 5th through 8th grade. In this program students learn about different artists, then experiment with and create your own style to display at a special art show.Refer to Lakewood library's website for more information on these programs.

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